Genentech, OSI says Avastin combos improve cancer survival

CarolynPritchard

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Genentech Inc.
DNA, +0.00%
and OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc.
osip
said Monday results from a Phase II study showed the addition of Avastin to either Tarceva or chemotherapy improved progression-free survival in patients with recurrent or refractory non-small cell lung cancer compared with chemotherapy alone. Progression-free survival in patients taking Avastin plus chemotherapy was 4.8 months, 4.4 months for those taking Avastin plus Tarceva, and 3 months for patients just undergoing chemotherapy. Avastin plus chemotherapy was shown to reduce the risk of cancer progression or death by 34% compared with chemotherapy alone, while Avastin plus Tarceva reduced the risk by 28% vs. chemotherapy alone. The estimated six-month survival rates, or the percentage of patients alive at six months, were 78% in the Avastin plus Tarceva arm, 72% in the Avastin plus chemotherapy arm, vs. 62% in the chemotherapy-alone arm. The data was presented at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting.

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